File:Ofrenda del norte.jpg

English: This picture was taken on October 31st, 2010. My friends and I made this “ofrenda” for an assignment. The “ofrenda” was representing the types of ornamentation that the Mexican people uses to celebrate “Día de Muertos”; besides that this objects are specially use at the north of the country, I mean, the states of Chihuahua, Monterrey, Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, Sonora, etc.

The importance of this picture is that reflects one of the most important traditions in Mexico: Día de Muertos, and it is very interesting to see all the elements that one tradition has to express feelings and thoughts; moreover everything has a reason to be there.Finally the influence of USA in the mexican culture because of the proximity with the north´s states. We can see at the back of the scenario the mountains that represent the limits between Mexico and USA, pursuing this further the figure of the “Calavera” at the left and the pumpkin in the right side that shows the believing in both traditions, I mean, “Día de Muertos and “Halloween”. Over the “altar” you can find candles that serves to illuminate the way of the deceased, the famous “calaveritas” to give something sweet to the deceased, the cempazuchitl flower with a yellow-orange color, “pan de muerto”, “papel cortado”, fruit, personal objects of the deceased, food and drinks that the deceased like when he had life and religious objects. Finally over the floor you can see flower’s petals in the same way a cross with the petals and color sawdust.

The Mexican culture is very colorful and beautiful, this is a tradition that we don’t have to loose.